BSc (Hons) Nursing (Nursing Associate Pathway) (Adult)
- Course type
- Undergraduate
- Course qualification
- BSc (Hons)
Course summary
What is the fee?
For all course options, see fees and funding
Where will I study?
School of Health and Society
What is the UCAS code?
B714
How long will I study?
18 month
Overview
Please note that this programme is currently undergoing a review. As a result, elements of the course structure, module content, assessment methods, and delivery may change for the upcoming academic year (September 2027 entry). Final details will be confirmed as soon as the review is complete.
This BSc (Hons) Nursing (Nursing Associate pathway) (Adult) degree programme offers a fantastic opportunity to progress your FdSc Nursing Associate qualification to a BSc Adult Nursing degree. The course is delivered full-time over an 18-month period. You must have the essential prerequisite entry qualifications to join this programme at the middle point of Level 5. You will then complete the remaining 6 months of Level 5 modules, followed by the full year of Level 6 modules.
On this course, you will experience the provision of contemporary 24-hour health service provision, caring for patients across all aspects of the health/ill health continuum, and within multiple environments. You will be provided with the exposure and education in nursing, within both the University and placement environments, to become a confident, compassionate, evidence based, and person-centred practitioner to evaluate, lead and coordinate patient care.
50% of your studies will be spent in various hospital and/or community settings within the NHS and independent sector, where you will spend time in well-supported environments. Within each placement you will be working alongside qualified nurse practice assessors and supervisors as per the . Over the full 18months of the programme, you will be expected to complete a minimum of 1150 hours within various placement environments in your supernumerary student nurse role.
You will also spend 50% of your time attending and studying for your module credits at the University. This will additionally enable you to gain the minimum of 1150 theory hours required to register your qualification with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).
On successful completion of all the elements of this course, you will have a recognised degree qualification that leads to registration as a qualified nurse with the NMC.
We scored 93% on the ‘Teaching on my Course’ category in the National Student Survey 2024.
You will:
- Develop the essential knowledge, skills and behaviours which are core to you acquiring competencies to become a qualified nurse, and fundamental to your professional development
- Develop knowledge of concepts of wellbeing, public health and global health including an awareness of factors affecting health within a diverse and multi-cultural society
- Gain the necessary experience and exposure to attain your nursing registration with the NMC
This is for you if...
You are hardworking and committed
You have a compassionate and caring character
You can see yourself working with people from all kinds of backgrounds
You want to make a real difference
You are ready for an exciting challenge
You are looking for a future career that is more than just a job
How you'll learn
Future careers
As a graduate and qualified nurse in the adult nursing field of practice, you will be able to apply for a job in either an acute setting such as a hospital, or in the community. You may want to work within the NHS or in the public and private sectors for example, a ward, a health centre, a prison, a care home or a hospice.
Career Links
You will work alongside a qualified practice assessors and supervisors in practice learning areas where you will experience a wide variety of care-giving settings. You will be expected to work the same shift patterns as your practice supervisor (including weekends and night duty) and will need to be able to travel to and from clinical placements.
You will spend half of your time at the University and the other half working in hospital and community settings, within the NHS and independent sector. These practice learning opportunities will be across the Greater Manchester area including º£½ÇÂÒÂ×, Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Rochdale.
Modules
As a º£½ÇÂÒÂ× student, you will be welcomed into a relaxed and friendly environment in which to learn. A wealth of facilities are available to you including formal teaching, group and one-to-one sessions, a comfortable and enriching learning space, and state-of-the-art clinical set-ups.
You will apply the essential knowledge and skills needed to deliver and promote holistic care of mental and physical health across the life span by analysing decision-making, problem-solving and prioritising skills in nursing practice. We also explore which people access adult services and consider how we protect patients, carers and relatives who use our services.
You will prepare for the transition from Nursing Associate to qualified professional registered nurse, both professionally and autonomously, to manage yourself and others effectively. You will be able to develop practice using the best available evidence that incorporates both nursing expertise and knowledge, together with that of the patient/service user.
Year 2 modules
Exploring Nursing Evidence and Interventions
You will explore the nursing process as a means of understanding the nurses’ roles and responsibilities in assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation, as well as the knowledge and skills required to effectively carry these out. You will also explore how evidence is produced and applied to practice within healthcare, as well as specifically within Adult Nursing. This exploration of evidence-based practice will also examine the process by which nurses co-develop and negotiate care that encompass both the best available evidence and the patient’s own preferences and needs.
Exploring the Fundamentals of Integrated Nursing Practice
You will demonstrate the required NMC proficiencies in relation to your stage of learning and development in year two with Adult Nursing and interprofessional practice (NMC part 2 progression). 
This will include developing skills in looking outwards from one’s own profession to consider relationships with other professional/non-professional people and the impact this has on care delivery.
Year 3 modules
Being an Autonomous Adult Practitioner
You will develop the knowledge, skills and professional attitudes to facilitate the critical, systematic and contemporary application of the evidence base required to demonstrate autonomous nursing practice. This will be achieved through the delivery of a blended learning approach by way of seminars, master classes, action learning sets, practice and guided independent study. A feature of this module will be that some of the master classes will be delivered by specialist clinicians focusing upon quality, safety and personalised care across health and social care.
Being an Inspiring Adult Practitioner
You will build upon your developing knowledge, skills and professional attitudes to facilitate the critical application of the evidence base required to demonstrate inspirational nursing practice. Aspects of leadership, management, team working and exploration of evidence-based nursing practice, linked to both pathogenesis and salutogenesis will be implicit throughout.
Part 3 Nursing Practice
You will demonstrate the required NMC proficiencies in relation to your stage of learning and development in year three with Adult Nursing and interprofessional practice (NMC Part 3 progression). This module prepares you for registration as an adult nurse and will include developing skills in looking outwards from one’s own profession to consider relationships with other professional/nonprofessional people and the impact this has on care delivery. You will be able to demonstrate a greater depth of knowledge and the additional more advanced skills required to meet the specific care needs of people in your field of nursing practice.
Leading Adult Nursing
This module will enable you to demonstrate a critical understanding of looking outwards from one's own profession to consider relationships with other professional/non-professional people and the impact this has on care delivery in Adult Nursing practice.  
We take a flexible approach to our course delivery that promotes diversity and inclusivity and provides a blended learning experience, which will vary to meet specific programme requirements. This learning time includes formal lectures and interactive activities such as seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, laboratory and studio learning. Smaller classes may be used to support collaborative activities such as project and group work and presentations. A range of different assessments and feedback is offered to meet the needs of both our diverse student body and specific subject needs.
Our undergraduate courses are normally made up of 20 credit modules which are equal to 200 hours of learning time. A three-year degree qualification typically comprises a total of 360 credits (120 credits per year).
Please note that exact modules and content offered may vary in order to keep content current and, for courses that offer optional modules, may depend on the number of students selecting particular options. When accepting your offer of a place to study on a programme with optional modules, you should be aware that optional modules may not all run each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you can undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Entry requirements
Applicant profile
Nursing is not a nine-to-five job. Neither is being a student nurse:
- You will be expected to work the same shifts as your practice supervisor in hospital and community settings
- You do not get long holiday breaks; the course has annual leave weeks spread out over the 18-months which are non-negotiable.
- Your placement may be up to 90 minutes away from the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×
As part of the application process, you may be invited to complete an assessment / attend an online activity. If this is the case, we will contact you with further details.
Standard entry requirements
GCSE
GCSE English and Maths at grade C/grade 4 minimum (or equivalent).
For applicants who do not hold GCSE Mathematics grade C/4 or above, the following qualifications may be considered: Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics or a Higher Maths Equivalency Test with a minimum mark of 65%. For more information please visit .
(It is preferred that applicants already hold grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language/Literature and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification, prior to making their application. Applicants who are in the process of completing their GCSE English Language and Mathematics or level 2 equivalents may also be considered).
Level 5 qualification
You will need a Level 5 Nursing Associate Foundation Degree completed within the last 5 years (registration with the NMC is not required).
Fees and funding
Your fees for the 6 month portion of the programme will be calculated on a pro rata basis.
Additional funding support for healthcare students
The NHS Learning Support Fund is available to students studying the following courses:
- Diagnostic Radiography
- Occupational Therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Midwifery
- Nursing (adult, child, mental health, learning disability, joint nursing/social work)
Visit the website for further information.
2026/27
| Type of study | Fees |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,790 per year |
The tuition fees shown are for the first year only. If your course lasts longer than one year, fees may increase each year in line with inflation, up to the maximum limits set by the UK Government.
Additional costs
For more information about uniforms, DBS, Occupational Health clearance, and immunisations, visit our page of: Information for Students
You should consider further costs which may include immunisations, books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
How to apply
Enrolment dates
Student information
Terms and conditionsUCAS information
Course ID B714
Institution S03